The low sun resulted in the final two fences omitted and he said: "I was riding at Fontwell yesterday so I've pretty much come from one end of the country to the other. I had a good walk round beforehand and it's a lovely track but it took me ten minutes to find the weighing-room!

"Idarah is a quirky customer and he actually benefitted from the conditions and the fact there was a four-furlong run-in. He's certainly got ability when he puts his mind to it."

Hawick's George Bewley struck in the Graeme Todd Haulage And Friends Handicap Hurdle with South Leinster, ridden by his son Jonathon.

The trainer said: "He's cost a lot of money when he was first with Howard Johnson as was originally bought to win Cheltenham races. The cheek-pieces helped here and he should make a decent chaser."

Maggio, who landed the opening Premier Traffic Management 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle for Irish trainer Patrick Griffin, will step up in class at Cheltenham next weekend after his 18-length romp under James Reveley.

The trainer's son and assistant James said: "He's going to Cheltenham next Sunday for a Grade 2 long distance hurdle. We might even send him to France in the summer as James Reveley said he'd get his ground and there are good races to be won. We love coming to Kelso and Musselburgh as they always make an effort and make you welcome."

Course specialist Knockara Beau registered his fourth win at the borders track when jumping like a buck under Lucy Alexander in the Flannigan Skip Hire Handicap Chase.

Back in fifth place, 73-lengths behind the winner was dual-Scottish Grand National hero Merigo who will run next at Haydock in two weeks time as his build-up to Ayr in April starts to gather pace.

His trainer Andrew Parker added: "There is a 3m chase for him in a fortnight and then he will come back to Kelso in December. He always takes time to find his feet."